Policing in Pocklington

Our high visibility patrols in Pocklington town centre will continue throughout April to reassure the local community. Our patrols will include the use of arrest powers and the consideration of the use of £80 penalty notices for disorder for anyone causing nuisance in this area. Regular patrols will be made on an evening to reassure the public and to send a positive message that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated. Twenty two evening patrols were made during March by Neighbourhood Policing Team officers, in addition to regular patrols by other officers throughout the month with no specific incidents of note. Our patrols will continue to target this area throughout April, given the lighter evenings.

Following reports of youths causing annoyance with motor vehicles on the West Green car park, Pocklington, regular checks were made for a couple of moths in the area. Fourteen checks were made on evenings during March with no evidence of problems being disclosed. However, it would appear from public complaints to both the Police and Pocklington Town Council made during March that those involved in causing nuisance with vehicles may now be congregating on Robertson Close in the town on an evening. As a result, patrols will now target this location. Section 59 of the Police Act (causing harassment, alarm or distress with a motor vehicle) will be considered and drivers are warned that once a warning has been administered, a vehicle seizure can follow.

The annual Pocklington Rugby Sevens event takes place in the town on Good Friday. As usual, there will be a large high visibility Police presence in the town to provide reassurance to residents and to deter and deal with any public order issues that may arise within the town centre following the event, given the large number of people and availability of alcohol during the day. As usual we will be working closely with the organisers of the event and licensees in the town.

4. Offenders brought to justice

- A 43 year old female from Pocklington was arrested and received a caution for Common Assault arising out of an incident at licensed premises in the town on the evening of 27th March, 2011.

- A 21 year old Pocklington male has been charged with Common Assault and a public order offence following an incident in the town on 19th February, 2011.

- A Pocklington male was arrested and charged with a racially aggravated public order offence arising out of an incident in the town on 20th March, 2011.

- A 20 year old male from Allerthorpe has been charged with Common Assault and Assault Police arising out of an incident in Pocklington in January 2011.

- A Pocklington male was arrested and charged with Common Assault, following an incident in the town on the evening of 20th March, 2011.

- A 44 year old female from York has received a caution for Common Assault arising from an incident in Wilberfoss in February, 2011.

- A female was arrested for driving over the prescribed limit following an incident in Pocklington on 13th March, 2011.

- A 44 year old Stamford Bridge male has been issued with an £80 Penalty Notice for Disorder for causing harassment, alarm and distress in an incident in the village on 5th March, 2011.

- A 19 year old Pocklington male has been charged with possession of cannabis arising out of a stop / check in the town on 2nd February, 2011.

- A Pocklington male was arrested for causing harassment, alarm and distress arising out of an incident in the town on 5th March, 2011.

- A 32 year old Pocklington male has appeared at court in relation to two offences of Common Assault and one offence of Criminal Damage committed in the town in February 2011. He was sentenced to a 24 month community order.

- A Pocklington male appeared at Beverley Magistrates’ Court on 3rd March 2011 in connection with an affray in licensed premises in the town committed on 18th December 2010. He was sentenced to a Referral Order for 6 months and ordered to pay court costs in the sum of £30. The other defendants in the case are to be committed for trial to the Hull Crown Court.

- A 22 year old Pocklington male was arrested to prevent a breach of the peace, following an incident in the town during the early hours of 2nd March, 2011.

- A 32 year old Pocklington male has received a caution for being Drunk and Disorderly arising out of an incident in the town on 28th February, 2011.

5. Meetings

You are invited to attend any of the below meetings:

Neighbourhood Action Team Events May to July 2011

The Pocklington Provincial and Wolds Weighton Neighbourhood Action Team are linking into a number of events being run by the Pocklington and Wolds Weighton Neighbourhood Policing Team to highlight distraction burglary and bogus official offences in an attempt to educate local communities to help prevent them occurring.

The events will also be attended by the Crime Prevention Officer for the East Riding of Yorkshire, Humberside Fire and Rescue, members of the district Crime Prevention Panel, and Age concern. Crime prevention and personal safety advice will be available at these events, along with the opportunity to discuss local policing issues with the police.

Please come along for advice or to discuss local issues. All are welcome.

Pocklington Market between 1000 and 1200 on the below dates:

Please speak to our officers who will be patrolling the area specifically to listen to your concerns and take appropriate action:

12/04/2011 – Police Community Support Officer Laura Hudson.

19/04/2011 – Police Community Support Officer Jane Matschke.

03/05/2011 – Police Community Support Officer Gareth Ludlow.

17/05/2011 – Police Community Support Officer Laura Hudson.

24/05/2011 – Police Community Support Officer Jane Matschke.

07/06/2011 – Police Community Support Officer Laura Hudson.

21/06/2011 – Police Community Support Officer Laura Hudson.

28/06/2011 – Police Community Support Officer Jane Matschke.

12/07/2011 – Police Community Support Officer Jane Matschke.

26/07/2011 – police Community Support Officer Laura Hudson.

Police “Drop Ins” at Stamford Bridge:

Police Community Support Officer Gareth Ludlow is running surgeries at the Stamford Bridge Parish Council offices on Church Road on the following dates:

07/04/2011 (1515 – 1615).

Come and talk to him regarding any concerns you have in your community.

Police “Drop In” at Sutton on Derwent:

Police Community Support Officer Laura Hudson is running a Crime Prevention Surgery at Sutton Upon Derwent Village Hall on the following dates:

Monday 18th April, (1900-2000)

Saturday 14th May, (0930-1100)

Monday 6th June, (0930-1130)

Please come along for advice on home security or to any discuss village issues.

Police “Drop In” at Pocklington Police Station:

Police Community Support Officer Jane Matschke is running a Police “drop in” for Pocklington residents at the Police Station, George Street, Pocklington, between 0930 and 1030 on Monday 18th April, 2011. Please come along and let her know if you have any problems or would like crime prevention advice.

Police “Drop Ins” at Wilberfoss Community Centre:

Police Community Support Officer Gareth Ludlow is running a Police “drop in” at Wilberfoss Community Centre on the following dates:

Thurs 19th May 1930 - 2030

Tues 7th June 1400 – 1500

Please come along and let him know if you have any problems or would like crime prevention advice.

6. News and Appeals

Protecting Your Farm Equipment

Two recent incidents, one where £60,000 worth of tractor and an £8,000 trailer were stolen but fortunately recovered as the thieves made off, and another where a £10,000 trailer was stolen from another location the same night, have again highlighted how offenders do target the rural areas where rich pickings can be found in terms of agricultural equipment if the offenders know what they’re looking for.

In a separate incident last year, two high value tractors were stolen from a farm near Market Weighton and were recovered, after a police pursuit at Goole, heading towards South Yorkshire. On this occasion, the suspects were arrested.

In the past, I’ve highlighted how the Police are paying close attention to rural crime in our area. Readers may recall that I asked everyone to be the eyes and ears of their communities and to report suspicious individuals on or around farms and agricultural locations. This message still applies as thieves come into our rural areas, very often stealing valuable equipment to order.

Tractors are sometimes a target, (9 were stolen last year across East Yorkshire) and trailers are a particular favourite to steal.

So, if you’re a farmer, what can you do?

The following crime prevention advice will help you to protect your farm equipment: -

Implements and Tools

When possible, lock tools and small items of machinery inside a secure building.

To prevent the theft of batteries, tools and accessories, avoid leaving tractors and other farm implements in fields.

Keep valuable machinery away from public roads when not in use.

Consider making a secure cage or structure for smaller items which should be sited within a secure and alarmed building.

Record the make and serial number of power tools - an up-to-date inventory is vital.

Mark or stamp easily removed items with your postcode, followed by the first two letters of your farm’s name, or other identifying marks.

Vehicles

Four-wheel drive vehicles, trailers, caravans and quad bikes can all be a target for thieves. There are many anti-theft devices available such as alarms, immobilisers and tracking systems.

Mark them and make them unique – use large letters on the roof. Record serial/chassis numbers and photograph them.

Consider registering your tractor on the CESAR scheme which tags these vehicles.

Fuel Thefts

Pumps should have locking devices and/or isolator switches and, where possible, they should be housed in a secure location.

Field Gates

Field gate hinges should be of the capped or inverted type to prevent easy removal.

Make regular checks to see if they have been tampered with. If you believe they have been tampered with, contact the police.

Mark gates to make them unique to your farm.

Gates that are locked with good quality chains or padlocks are more difficult to steal.

And remember, please report any suspicious people or vehicles you see to Humberside Police on 0845 60 60 222 (or 999 in an emergency or if a crime is in progress). If you can safely get descriptions or registration numbers, please do so. You may help detect a crime!